41 people become American citizens

Published: Friday, February 8, 2013 at 08:05 PM.

PANAMA CITY — Who says the American Dream is dead?

A U.S. District Court judge Friday morning presided over the swearing in of America’s 41 newest citizens.

Flanked by supporters who clapped and cheered and snapped photographs as they received certificates from Judge Richard Smoak, they renounced allegiance to their birthplaces and swore to take up arms to protect the Constitution if necessary.

Once upon a time, Dr. Quang T. Tran earned his citizenship after traveling here from Vietnam with his family. Tran addressed the new citizens on the value of determination, generosity and courage.

“From this point forward, success is a byproduct of relentless hard work, courage, motivation and being willing to take risks,” Tran said. “Be willing to take risks in this country; you will be enormously rewarded.

“But you take risks within the legal framework. You’ve got to pay taxes; you don’t want to see Judge Smoak very often,” Tran joked.

Smoak noted these ceremonies are nice diversions from sending people to jail.

A U.S. District Court judge Friday morning presided over the swearing in of America’s 41 newest citizens.

Flanked by supporters who clapped and cheered and snapped photographs as they received certificates from Judge Richard Smoak, they renounced allegiance to their birthplaces and swore to take up arms to protect the Constitution if necessary.

Once upon a time, Dr. Quang T. Tran earned his citizenship after traveling here from Vietnam with his family. Tran addressed the new citizens on the value of determination, generosity and courage.

“From this point forward, success is a byproduct of relentless hard work, courage, motivation and being willing to take risks,” Tran said. “Be willing to take risks in this country; you will be enormously rewarded.

“But you take risks within the legal framework. You’ve got to pay taxes; you don’t want to see Judge Smoak very often,” Tran joked.

Smoak noted these ceremonies are nice diversions from sending people to jail.

“This is a wonderful change of pace for those of us in the court,” he said.

Friday’s ceremony was the 26th such event locally since 2008, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Gayle Littleton.

“And this is even a little more special because … this group will include the 1,000th new citizen that we have sworn in,” Littleton said.

Most came to America temporarily from countries elsewhere in North America, but also from South America, Asia and Europe. The 41 new citizens were born in 24 different countries total.

The new Americans had to be vetted, so to speak. They had to pass a test on American history and civics, another literacy test and perform well in interviews, said Arthur Greene, an adjudications officer for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services. They go through the optional process willingly, Greene said.

“A person doesn’t have to become a U.S. citizen. They could always remain a green card holder and just renew their card every 10 years,” Greene said. “But the individuals here today wanted to take it a step further and they want to become U.S. citizens.”

The U.S. is blessed by the “wonderful diversity and richness of life that you bring,” Smoak told them.

“You all bring to this country a unique background, a heritage and a gift to contribute to the greatness of this country,” Tran said.